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The monograph begins by examining the history of such studies in Ireland, and goes on to reveal that the archaeology of lake settlement is more extensive and complex than is generally understood. It describes the often overlooked archaeological evidence for the lakeshore habitations of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers, and outlines the extensive evidence for Bronze Age lake settlements. The lakeshore settlements, monastic islands and castles is explored in detail. It is argued that lake settlement now needs to be investigated by means of multi-period, regional palaeoenvironmental evidence. The volume proposes theoretical and methodological approaches. ... Read more

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The impetus for this volume lies in the expansion of interest in Post Medieval archaeology in university, commercial, and voluntary sectors. The study of Post Medieval archaeology is a relatively new discipline but, within archaeology as a whole, it represents one of the fastest growing areas of study. Archaeologists seek to avoid the fragmentation of a still small discipline into subfields such as pre-1750 post-medieval archaeology, post-1750 industrial archaeology, or the incorporation of theory as somehow outside of the purview of the work of the older organisations. This important and timely volume brings together articles that consider the commonalties between approaches as well as the unique contributions made by members of each organisation towards the study of the material heritage of the post-1550 period. The chapters in the volume derive from a well-attended three day conference held at the University of Leicester in April 2008 and sponsored by the Society for Post-medieval Archaeology, the Association for Industrial Archaeology, and the Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group. The aim of the discussion-focused conference was to foster enhanced understanding and cooperation between the organisations and their approaches; with in-depth consideration of the future of the broader field of historical archaeology. The volume will bring the debate from the conference to a wider academic, professional, and vocational audience and, it is anticipated, will act as a benchmark by which future development will be judged. ... Read more

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The Burren and the Aran Islands form a region renowned for its geology, flora and archaeology. Possibly the greatest interest is in its archaeology but the ancient monuments are often perceived as shrouded in mystery and beyond explanation. Recent studies have shed considerable light on the functions of these monuments and the people who built them. This book presents these archaeological interpretations in an attractive and engaging manner. The book begins with a brief introduction and is then divided into two parts, the first dealing with the Burren, the second with the Aran Islands. Significant sites are highlighted while 'panel' features explain more tangential topics, e.g., how to build a wedge tomb. Contents include Colonisation and Early Settlement, From Neolithic to Bronze Age, The Celts, The Arrival of Christianity, Early Medieval Chiefs and their Stone Forts, and finally Later Tower Houses and Military Constructions. This is a heavily illustrated book. Captions are often extensive and can be read separately or in conjunction with the text. Overall it is designed to be read cover-to-cover or dipped into at random.It will appeal to all with a previous interest in the region as well as visitors and tourists who want a clear, concise and attractively-presented explanation of the archaeology. Dr Jones writing transforms the dry academic material of excavation reports and archaeological inventories into an engaging and understandable story. ... Read more

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Excellent reference book to the archaeology of Co. Clare
A very well written and detailed look at the archaeology and history of the Burren and Aran Islands. If the author doesn't know the answer, rational explainations are given. No wild conjecture or agenda is present in the writing. The author has spent much time in the area doing research and excavation in the region and detailed maps and drawings are given. A hightly suggested resource while reading this book are cartographer Tim Robinson's Burren Map and the Ordnance Survey maps of the region (51, 52, 57, 58). ... Read more

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The image of the Celt is one of the most emotive in the European past, evoking pictures of warriors, feasts, and gentle saints and scholars.This comprehensive and fully-illustrated book re-appraises the archaeology of the Celtic-speaking areas of Britain and Ireland from the late fourth to the twelfth century AD, a period in which the Celts were a leading cultural force in northern Europe. Drawing on recent scientific advances, the book provides a new perspective on the economy, settlement, material culture, art and technological achievements of the early medieval Celts and re-examines their interaction with the Romans and Vikings.Including a full survey of artefacts and archaeological sites, from memorial stones to monasteries, this is essential reading for any student or scholar with an interest in Celtic archaeology, history or culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Another fine book by a celtic expert
To follow on from the review of GR Grove below. If it is a more "coffee table" pictorial book on celtic culture of Britain and Ireland you are seeking, but still written by an authority, also try "Celtic Britain and Ireland: Art and Society" by the same author. Although published in 1995 it is a also fine book. With plenty of colour plates.

Clearly written and well-organized
At 420 pages, copiously illustrated with line drawings and black and white photographs, this is good value for money ($50 for the paperback edition on Amazon). No color plates, but you can't have everything. This is essentially a university-level textbook, not a mass-market coffee table book. The material is clearly written and extremely well-organized, and the author has, as he says in the preface, "endeavoured to remove as much jargon as is feasible." The book includes three appendices, abundant footnotes, suggestions for further reading, and an impressive bibliography.

After an introduction and a general survey of the Celtic world, the author gets down to details. The next eight chapters cover settlements, farming, everyday objects and equipment, industry and technology, trade and communications, clothes and jewelry, art and ornament, and the church. This is followed by area-specific chapters on south-western Britain, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man, Southern Scotland and northern England, and Northern Scotland. To cover all this ground in the space available (the appendices start at page 335) means that no discussion can be in any great depth, but Laing still manages to cram in an impressive amount of detail, and the abundant citations allow the interested reader to follow up on any particular point. No space is wasted on philosophical arm-waving; this is an "only the facts" treatment. I recommend it heartily.
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This is a summary of the research that has been carried out on 'megalithic' tombs such as Newgrange and Knowth in County Meath. The four main tomb types are described. Plans and photographs illustrate their main features together with a brief history of the tombs and there is also a glossary of the terms used. ... Read more

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Older than Stonehenge, Mycenae and the Egyptian pyramids, the huge megalithic tomb of Newgrange in Ireland stands as a testament to the achievements of our Stoneage forebears over 5000 years ago. This is an account of that structure. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Splendid pictures
Provides plenty of technical information on the excavation and restoration of Newgrange without destroying the wonder of the site.Great drawings as well as photos, exactly what I was hoping for when I ordered the book.

The standard work on the world's oldest man made structure
In the 1960's Michael O'Kelly and his team of student archaeologists restored the megalithic structure known as Newgrange.This book presents his findings and speculation on the ancient tumulus, and written andpictorial accounts of the reconstruction works itself.

Although theexistence of the structure was known since Charles Campbell discovered itin 1699, its premier significance as a repository of ancient art,architecture and symbolism was never fully realised until Prof. O'Kelly andhis team set about their work.The phenomenon of the roofbox, which for 7minutes at dawn on the days of the winter solstice fills the centralchamber with light, is incredible. I have visited the site more than 30times, and had the privilege of a solstice viewing in 1994.I cannotrecall a more fundamentally spiritual experience in my life.

This bookhas it all.The non-academic reader (I am one such!) may find certainsections a little turgid, but there are plenty of discussions on themythology and symbolism to compensate for all the facts and figures if thelatter don't suit. The illustrations are superb (photos, maps,pen/ink); thefootnotes comprehensive, the objective analysis is compelling and the wholeproject just so worthwhile.

The reader can also enjoy placing their owninterpretations on the significance of the carvings, objet d'art and theSolstice phenomenon, and be just as valid as anyone else.After all, theoriginal builders left this earth 6500 years ago and didn't leave a usersmanual!!

Enjoy.5 Stars (and the sun and moon as well!) ... Read more

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The established impressions of early Celtic Ireland have come down to us through the great Irish sagas, but recent archaeological research has transformed our understanding of the period. Reflecting this new generation of scholarship, Barry Raftery presents the most convincing and up-to-date account yet published of Ireland in the millennium before the coming of Christianity. The transition from Bronze Age to Iron Age in Ireland brought many changes, including significant advances in travel and transport, and the construction of great royal centers such as Tara and Emain Macha. Professor Raftery also discusses the elusive lives of the common people; technology, arts, and crafts of the period; Ireland's contacts with the Roman world; and the complex religious beliefs of the Irish Celts. Generously illustrated throughout, Pagan Celtic Ireland will be read avidly by everyone interested in Ireland's mysterious past. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Worth it.
A wonderful, informative book with great illustrations.Well researched and fun to read.A must for every Celtophile,

Excellent source on Iron Age Ireland
In this book the author, who is head of archeology at University College Dublin, gives us a great insight into the current research on this period in Ireland.There is so much pseudo-history and myth that gets repeated over and over again that this book offers a rare insight into what Irish scholars actually know about Celtic Ireland. It deals quite effectively with the issue of the mythological "Celtic" invasion of people and explains the circumstances surrounding the arrival or development of the Celtic culture in Ireland.

It is written from an archaeological point of view but should also be of interest to general readers. I highly recommend it as a source for scholars of this period and readers who want to know more about the Iron Age in Ireland.

An important and timely work
This book is extremely useful in that it is the only complete synthesis of the Irish Iron Age archaeology. It is also simple to read and illustrates to the layman the differences between Ireland andEurope during the timeof the Celts. However, many people are misled by the mystical title - thisis a purely archaeological book! ... Read more

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Seemingly contradictory ideas of privacy and community dominate Ottoman cities. While houses are internally divided to guard female modesty behind a frontage studded with peep-holes, streets in cities like Amasya are often bridged by first-floor passageways between different houses. This book contains 17 papers by architects and archaeologists looking at how the Ottoman house was structured, how it has varied over time and space, and how surviving examples are faring in a world of breeze-block construction. Although the examples discussed are all Near Eastern, and mostly from Turkey, the revelations this book contains about structuring principles will make it a valuable companion to understanding architectural relics from all over the Ottoman Empire. ... Read more